Pre-Game Rituals Quotes

Ballplayers are a superstitious breed, nobody more than I, and while you are winning you'd murder anybody who tried to change your sweatshirt, let alone your uniform.

Before important games, I don't change my preparation.

My first name during my first match was 'Lena.' I was still Lena then, just because we hadn't gotten a name yet.

Every athlete acquires routines as a way to help control nerves.

When I'm waiting to bat I try to watch the game and make sure I know what is going on so I am ready when I get out there but I spend a lot of time hydrating. It is very important for your performance and concentration. If it is cold I might have a coffee but mainly I am trying to stay really hydrated.

Mentally, starting the game versus coming off the bench, there are different vibes.

When I get up in the morning, I look forward to the games and I'm just buzzing. At the end of the day, if you are nervous or scared before games, you are not going to perform. I just go out there and think, 'If I get a chance, I'm going to score' and that's it.

I have to pray before I play, and I gotta eat right before I go out there. For a while when I was younger, I would always eat chicken tenders and fries no matter what.

There's a different feeling when you show up and you're defending. You can't wait to get out there. You're not anxious that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday would be over, but you're just excited to get that ball in the air on Thursday.

There was a lot of passion with Klopp, I felt that most in the dressing room before games. He always had a big smile. He hugged every player. I loved his attitude - he was never nervous. He gave us confidence.

I try and have a relaxed attitude and stay quite switched off until about an hour before kick-off.

Tiger Woods, Larry Bird, Wayne Gretzky, a pitcher just before a game, I would imagine they all have nervous energy. But as you perform, the nervous energy dissipates and you start to relax and you start to do what you do best.

I've got to warm up to warm up and then play. I understand that now.

You know, I'm confident before I go out and play a match that I know, you know, I've put in the work and like I feel confident that I am going to go out there and play well.

I'm the type of player that doesn't like to play on full stomach.

Before matches, there is a little bit of pressure, but on the pitch, you forget it all. You only think about playing football.

It gets to the point where, by the time you're underneath the arena lights and you're staring at your opponent, that's the best time. That's the best feeling in the world, because all the other stuff goes away.

I shake everybody's hand before the game, but Oklahoma City, they don't shake hands. Only some of them, but I don't think they really shake hands before the game.

It's not superstition, but I do everything exactly the same on game days. I'm a creature of habit. I eat the same breakfast, and then I drive the same way to practice. Then I come back and eat the same exact same lunch before every game.

I have the same routine every game day, when it comes to waking up and what I do at the hotel and stuff, but nothing crazy.

When I prepare for a match, it's like work, even the way I have to shower and put on my makeup.

When I prepare for a game the names are not really important to me.

I don't have many superstitions, but I do have a few things I like to do out of routine and habit before a game.

Sticking to a routine helps you get in the zone for the match. I always put my left shinpad on before my right. When I go out onto the pitch, I take three hops on my left leg - but I don't know why I started. I must have seen Messi do it or something.

Footballers are very superstitious.